If Ye Love Me

This is a wonderful anthem that is a staple in the choral repertoire. I'm not sure how to do this yet, but, here is the link for a beautiful recording by John Rutter.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvu0lrliPW0

If it doesn't connect by clicking on it, highlight it and copy it into your address bar. You can find several good recordings on Youtube.

We'll talk about this later.

Perspective is Everything

Lots of people in our ministry and our community are facing real hardships in their lives, whether they be medical, employment, financial or relationship issues. Many people have asked about how serious my hand surgery was. My first reply was usually something along the lines of: "I define acuity of surgery as anything done on you is minor surgery, while anything done on me is major surgery." While trite, I think as Americans we tend to take that mindset. I am not trying to diminish how deeply affected we all are by our problems, but my Mom shared a quote from a book she is currently reading that I think I will be tackling once she finishes it. (Hurry up Mom!!!)

This is from the book "Dangerous Surrender: What Happens When You Say Yes to God" which is written by Kay Warren, who's husband Rick is the pastor at Saddleback Church in California. He was the host of the forum with John McCain and now President Obama during the election. (While I may not agree with all he stands for, at least he is genuine in standing up for what he believes without disrespecting the position of others. This is a lesson we could all learn.)

Anyway, enough chasing rabbits.....

Here is what Kay has to say:

....if you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the people in this world! If you have any money in the bank and some in your wallet and some spare change in a dish somewhere, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy; 92% have less to live on than you do! If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million other people in the world. If you can attend worship services at church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

What does this have to do with the Music Ministry at Prince of Peace? I hope that you are able to realize the blessings that you have been given through our Resurrected Christ, and are inspired and motivated to share those blessings you have been given with others you encounter.

You each are great blessings to me and to the rest of the community. I hope and pray that you are able to recognize the blessings of God in your life and share with others.

++++quote taken from "Dangerous Surrender: What Happens When You Say Yes to God" by Kay Warren. Published by Zondervan Books. Copyright 2007.

A Repeating Alleluia

Yes, it's a little early for an Alleluia, so I'll translate it to the English to get around the ban on Alleluia until Saturday. I realize that we have alot of music to review in the next few days, as we get ready for the celebration of the Triduum. While this is the most stressful time of the year for me, it is also my most favorite. It is my fervant desire that we get beyond the music making and enter into the fullness of the Paschal mysteries.

On Holy Thursday, we remember and honor Christ's institution of the Eucharist and how through our reception of Christ through the Body and Blood in the Sacrament, we are called to serve the least of those around us, by remembering how Christ stooped down and washed the feet of the ones around him. (Don't forget that there weren't pedicures or daily baths back then and no concrete streets either, so when he washed, he was washing!)

On Good Friday, we honor that great tool of our salvation, the Holy Cross, which served as the tool of our salvation. We will spend some precious time hearing that great story that tells of Christ's Passion and death for us.

We finish the Triduum with what Pope Benedict calls the "mother of all Vigils." Here we bless the night where Christ has risen from the dead and breaks the powers of death and brings us everlasting life. We begin with the Easter Proclamation which blesses the light of the Paschal candle, which for us represents the light of Christ, present in our community as we gather together. We then tell of our salvation history as a people. We hear the great story of how God created each and every one of us and how He has worked throughout history to bring us back into fellowship with himself. We are also bringing over 20 children and adults into full communion with us through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. We then conclude this celebration with the first Communion of Easter. We proclaim a Christ that is risen from the dead and has brought us back into communion with the Father.

Throughout these three days, which are in fact one great liturgy that last over 75 hours long, we hear a resounding and repeating Alleluia, which I pray we are able to hear and proclaim in the moment and cast our praises to God and to Christ his Son, who is our great Redeemer. We also give praise to the Holy Spirit, who walks with us and not only serves as our Companion, our Comforter but also our Advocate with the Father.

Thanks for all of your work that you have put into this celebration and I hope that the community expresses to you their appreciation of your beautiful gift of music to the Community.